Americas
Overcoming the challenges of the ‘great crew change’
The hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI) is facing a daunting challenge in the near future: In the next five to seven years, approximately 50% of the workforce will retire in what many are calling the ‘great crew change.’ The next generation of engineers, operators, technicians and skilled workers must step up to continue the pursuit of technological innovations and industry growth.
HP Editorial Comment: Convergence of trends supports HPI opportunities
The downstream industry is halfway through 2015 and the second decade of the new millennium. Great changes have occurred over the past 12 months and five years. Change is not necessarily negative; in fact, it can be a welcome event.
HP Project Management: Consider a modular approach to constructing condensate splitters
Although the 1975 ban on crude oil exports remains in place, US oil producers have found more opportunities in shipping condensate both domestically and internationally. This practice is possible due to condensate splitters, which provide a workaround solution by separating crude oil into lighter byproducts. Because these lightly refined byproducts can be exported, investment in new condensate splitter capacity has grown.
HP Petrochemicals: Mexican executives see new government reforms spurring petrochemical activity
The CEO of Mexico’s state-run Pemex sees Mexico’s downstream and midstream industries offering big opportunities for new and foreign investments on the heels of the country’s massive energy reform program.
HP News
UAE FCC catalyst manufacturing facility completes Phase 1W. R. Grace & Co. and JV partner Al Dahra Agriculture Co. marked the commissioning of a new catalyst logistics silo terminal (pictured) and the..
HP Industry Metrics
US refinery utilization rates have returned to summer operating levels. Crude oil pricing supports higher cracking margins for gasoline in US and European markets. Asian margins fell as increasing sup..
US approves Alaska LNG for non-FTA exports
The US Department of Energy has sanctioned exports from the Alaska LNG plant on the Kenai Peninsula to those countries without a free-trade agreement with the US.
Manoir to supply furnace coils for Shintech’s new US Gulf ethane cracker
The furnace components are based on Manoir's proprietary Manaurite high-alloy technology and are manufactured in its leading production center in Yantaï, China.
KBR forms alliance with Exelus to license solid acid catalyst technology
Global demand for motor fuels continues to rise while stricter environmental standards and oxygenate blend requirements for gasoline place a premium on clean burning fuels such as alkylate.
US chemical activity index rises sharply as outlook for business improves
The Chemical Activity Barometer has four primary components, each consisting of a variety of indicators: 1) production; 2) equity prices; 3) product prices; and 4) inventories and other indicators. Inventories, product prices, and equity prices all improved over the prior month.
- Chiyoda, AVEVA forge strategic partnership to power plantOS with AVEVA CONNECT 6/27
- SABIC announces closure of Olefins 6 facility in Teesside, UK 6/27
- LyondellBasell's polyolefin technologies selected by SHCCIG Yulin for petrochemicals complex in China 6/27
- Damaged unit of Iran's South Pars refinery back operating 6/27
- hte conducts research for JGC to advance decarbonization by identifying suitable catalysts for ammonia cracking 6/26
- TES and CPC Finland to develop 500-MW e-NG project in Finland 6/26
